Two pieces by Kim Downs, one about his mother and one about his father.

This footage was recorded by Kim’s father, Wayburn, in Rogers, Arkansas during the Ozpoets tour of the USA in 1994.  Of course, with them both in the audience, it was an appropriate time to perform them directly to their subjects.

‘Sandstorm’ recalls a childhood incident where young Kim, living with his parents on the outskirts of Nevada and routinely playing in his desert ‘backyard’ got caught in a sandstorm. Mom came to the rescue.

Eleanor ‘Pat’ Downs passed away several years ago after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She was a very kind and gentle person, greatly loved and greatly missed.

‘When I Called You Daddy’ is a tribute poem to a father who made sure his son learned the skills to survive, and thrive, in the world. Filmed in this case by said father!